Floyd Mayweather Jr. steps up on the scale during the weigh-in for his WBC world welterweight championship fight against Robert Guerrero, Friday, May 3, 2013, in Las Vegas. Guerrero will challenge Mayweather for the title on Saturday. (AP Photo/Julie Jacobson) less

Floyd Mayweather Jr. steps up on the scale during the weigh-in for his WBC world welterweight championship fight against Robert Guerrero, Friday, May 3, 2013, in Las Vegas. Guerrero will challenge Mayweather ... more

Photo: Julie Jacobson

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Robert Guerrero waves to boxing fans as he arrives for the weigh-in for the WBC welterweight title fight against Floyd Mayweather Jr., Friday, May 3, 2013, in Las Vegas. Guerrero will challenge Mayweather for the latter's title on Saturday. (AP Photo/Julie Jacobson) less

Robert Guerrero waves to boxing fans as he arrives for the weigh-in for the WBC welterweight title fight against Floyd Mayweather Jr., Friday, May 3, 2013, in Las Vegas. Guerrero will challenge Mayweather for ... more

Photo: Julie Jacobson

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Floyd Mayweather Jr., left, faces off with Robert Guerrero after their weigh-in, Friday, May 3, 2013, in Las Vegas. Guerrero will challenge Mayweather for Mayweather's WBC welterweight title on Saturday. (AP Photo/Julie Jacobson) less

Floyd Mayweather Jr., left, faces off with Robert Guerrero after their weigh-in, Friday, May 3, 2013, in Las Vegas. Guerrero will challenge Mayweather for Mayweather's WBC welterweight title on Saturday. (AP ... more

Photo: Julie Jacobson

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LAS VEGAS, NV - MAY 03: Floyd Mayweather weighs in at 146 pounds for his fight against Robert Guerrero for the WBC and Vacant Ring Magazine Welterweight titles at the MGM Grand Hotel/Casino on May 3, 2013 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images) less

LAS VEGAS, NV - MAY 03: Floyd Mayweather weighs in at 146 pounds for his fight against Robert Guerrero for the WBC and Vacant Ring Magazine Welterweight titles at the MGM Grand Hotel/Casino on May 3, 2013 in ... more

Photo: Al Bello

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Mayweather shows new side

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Las Vegas

He claims to be more mature now, chastened by a stint in jail and eager to be just as much a businessman as a fighter. Indeed, Floyd Mayweather Jr. acted almost statesmanlike earlier this week when Robert Guerrero's father began screaming that he was a woman beater who would finally get beaten himself Saturday night.

"The fighters are the ones who fight, not the fathers," Mayweather said calmly.

If it's an act, it's a pretty good one. Armed with a new six-fight television deal with Showtime that should keep him the world's highest paid athlete, Mayweather has for the most part taken the high road while promoting his fight against Guerrero as must-see TV for anyone who has an extra $69.95 for the pay-per-view.

Mayweather weighed in at 146 pounds on Friday. Guerrero checked in at the weight-class limit of 147.

The two meet in a scheduled 12-round welterweight title match at the MGM Grand hotel in what will be Mayweather's first fight in a year. It's also his first ring appearance since serving a jail term for assaulting the mother of his children, an experience he said helped him grow up.

Sometimes, though, he just can't help himself. The old Mayweather surfaces, complete with the bad-boy persona that has made him the biggest draw in boxing.

It could be that Mayweather as the promoter is trying to give a fight that still hasn't sold out some much needed buzz. More likely, though, is that he's looking for a bit of a mental edge for a bout that, despite the odds, could be very competitive.

He called Guerrero a hypocrite for promoting himself as a devout Christian, and then getting arrested on gun charges in New York. He mocked him for bringing up his jail sentence when he may also be facing one.

And a few days before the fight he even accused Guerrero of trying to win fans by using his wife's leukemia — which she overcame — as a way to get sympathy.